It is amazing how with time the tides change. There was a time in 2020, when India was struggling to meet the demand for remdesivir in the domestic markets. While patients were anxiously waiting to receive a single dose, pharmacies were scrambling to cater to them as the manufacturers toiled to meet orders. During this period, all manufacturers significantly increased their production of remdesivir.
However, its mid-2022 now and things have taken a completely different turn. On the positive side, Covid-19 is under control. However, this means that several pharmaceutical manufacturers will have to take a financial hit as they have stocks of remdesivir that might never be used. There is no demand for the drug in the country and many chemists have already returned their stocks to the company. There is also no demand in the international market.
Estimates show that currently there is a stock of 60 lakh remdesivir vials that might never get used. As such, these vials, worth Rs600 crore, may need to be destroyed as they will expire early next year.
According to sources, through out India, Covid-related medicines worth Rs 800-1,000 crore remain unused. This also includes remdesivir active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) valued at Rs200 crore.
